This Annual Report of Accomplishments and Results summarizes the University of Maine Cooperative Extension programming from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006. It is prepared for and follows specific format determined by the USDA/Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) as part of our federal partnership. The goals outlined in this report highlight UMaine Extension’s role in providing research-based information to the citizens of Maine and beyond through community improvement and citizenship in our own state, while embracing collaborations regionally, nationally and internationally.
For additional information about UMaine Extension, please visit our Web site at If questions arise, please contact John Rebar, Interim Director, at 207-581-2811, or via electronic mail at .
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Annual Report of
Accomplishments and Results
2006
Section A
CSREES Goal 1
Executive Summary
Source of Funding
Consolidated Plan of Work Performance Goals
Selected Program Accomplishments Corresponding to Key Themes
CSREES Goal 2
Executive Summary
Source of Funding
Consolidated Plan of Work Performance Goals
Selected Program Accomplishments Corresponding to Key Themes
CSREES Goal 3
Executive Summary
Source of Funding
Consolidated Plan of Work Performance Goals
Selected Program Accomplishments Corresponding to Key Themes
CSREES Goal 4
Executive Summary
Source of Funding
Consolidated Plan of Work Performance Goals
Selected Program Accomplishments Corresponding to Key Themes
CSREES Goal 5
Executive Summary
Source of Funding
Consolidated Plan of Work Performance Goals
Selected Program Accomplishments Corresponding to Key Themes
Section B
Stakeholder Input Process
Section C
Program Review Process
Section D
Multi-State, Multi-Institutional, Multidisciplinary and Joint Research and Extension Activities
Section E
Integrated Research and Extension Activities: Multi-State
Section F
Integrated Research and Extension Activities: Multi-State
Section A
Planned Programs
Goal 1
An Agricultural System that is Highly Competitive in the Global Economy
Goal 2
A Safe and Secure Food and Fiber System
Goal 3
A Healthy, Well-Nourished Population
Goal 4
Greater Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environment
Goal 5
Enhanced Economic Opportunity and Quality of Life for All Americans
CSREES Goal 1
An Agricultural System that is Highly Competitive in the Global Economy
Executive Summary
During 2006, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension helped producers improve the sustainability of their agricultural operations by implementing alternative production approaches, finding ways to reduce input costs, and utilizing new and relevant methods, tools, and information.
Alternative Production Approaches
Maine growers have both production challenges and strategic strengths. Helping farmers take advantage of these strengths will improve the sustainability of Maine’s agriculture. We endeavor to offer research-based information to the growing organic dairy industry and farmers who are considering the transition to organic, helping to establish New England as the national leader in organic dairy research and education. Our work with the Maine Grass Farmers Network is helping our organic and natural livestock producers produce higher quality meats. One of Maine’s specific production strengths is the capacity to produce abundant, cool- season grasses, which will help spur the number of dairy farms converting to organic production, leading to a higher price received for Maine-produced organic milk.
Organic dairy farmers now number nearly 20 percent of the dairy farms in Maine. With funding from the USDA – Agricultural Research Service New England Plant, Soil and Water Lab, the Organic Livestock Research and Education Consortium is a collaboration of research and Extension at UMaine and the University of New Hampshire, and a partnership with the Maine Organic Milk Producers. The partnership has led to the successful funding of several major grants, bringing in over $1.4 million to support organic dairy research and Extension activities. The outcome of one project helped to increase the price of organic milk paid to New England farmers by nearly 20 percent and resulted in an average net increase in gross revenue to the “typical” organic dairy farm of $44,000 per year in 2006. This represents a cumulative impact of $2.6 million in revenue to the Maine agricultural industry. Work in this area continues with regional efforts, such as the University of New Hampshire’s organic dairy research facility, and research on organic grain production with the University of Vermont, USDA/ARS and UMaine Extension. The Organic Livestock Research and Education Consortium won the Northeast Extension Directors Award of Excellence in 2006.
Alternative Enterprises
Interest in biodiesel production continues to grow across the U.S. In Maine, we have helped growers produce oil seed crops, and worked with the Houlton Band of the Maliseet Indian Nation to determine the economic feasibility of building a plant to produce biodiesel. A resulting pilot project has led to the successful production of small batches of biodiesel. Based on the results of our work, the tribe has decided to proceed with the construction of a five million gallon oil production facility.
UMaine Extension is also researching alternative methods of growing specialty crops under protective structures, called high tunnels, using various active and passive solar collection methods. High tunnels have shown great promise for extending Maine’s short growing season and allowing producers to grow high-value crops, such as tomatoes and cut flowers, not typically grown in Maine.
The Maine Cheese Guild, with support from UMaine Extension, hosted several cheese schools for artisan cheese makers. Several of the graduates have taken leadership roles in this growing Maine industry.
Sustainable Horticulture Practices
Maine ornamental horticulture businesses require a steady flow of knowledge, as crops, issues, and the marketplace change continuously. UMaine Extension recently updated the Maine Horticulture Guide to help growers effectively produce quality horticulture products as efficiently and safely as possible. The new Guide includes bio-control and pesticide compatibility, greater depth and breadth of information about new fungicide chemistry, and more information on plant growth regulator use on perennial crops. Annual flower trials at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station Rogers Farm have provided evaluation data for more than 200 new taxa of annuals for use in the bedding plant industry.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
One of the best ways for growers to reduce input costs is through targeted disease and pest management. For the 2006 crop season, UMaine Extension’s Potato IPM program was active in potato, sweet corn, small fruit, and greenhouse operations. We collected and identified over 350 plant disease samples, scouted 125 farmers’ fields, and identified over 1,700 insect samples. As a result of our aphid detection program, a timely aphicide application was applied, protecting the $3.2 million potato seed industry from infestation.
In 2006, potato late blight was discovered in 19 percent of the fields scouted by UMaine Extension scouts. Early discovery allowed growers to implement strategies to prevent further spread of the disease and minimize infection. Losses avoided as a result of our recommendations have been estimated at greater than $10 million.
Farm Profitability
During the 2006 growing season, UMaine Extension and Maine farmers addressed issues which challenged many commodities, including vegetables, small fruits, and forage and grain fodder. Above average rainfalls and cooler than normal growing seasons forced many producers to re-evaluate their management and cropping choices. UMaine Extension conducted nearly 200 workshops to help Maine farmers learn sustainable practices and marketing strategies to apply in tough environmental conditions. Individual consultations resulted in more than 400 farms making changes in their operations by identifying cost-effective cultural practices to increase their farm’s profitability.
UMaine Extension works in partnership with Coastal Enterprises, Inc., the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine Organic Milk Providers, the Maine Department of Agriculture Food, and Rural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Small Business Development Councils of Maine to provide a wide range of expertise for Maine farmers who are looking to invest and make changes to their operations to remain profitable in the future. Since 2001, we have provided technical assistance to 122 farms as part of the Farms for the Future Program. Farms for the Future has granted more than $1.34 million to 74 of these farms for implementing their business plans, while leveraging nearly $6 million in private investments and placing 17,505 acres under protective conservation easements.
UMaine Extension also worked on other projects to improve the production and marketing of Maine agricultural products. We worked with Maine Agricultural Experiment Station researchers to evaluate “re-baling” of large round hay packages into smaller bales for resale at higher profit margins to high-value markets. We were also instrumental in providing leadership on many educational programs to improve specific farm management skills. Examples include equine clinics for a growing industry in Maine, and a three-day ShepherdSchool that helped 20 participants fine-tune production practices on their sheep farms. Sheep producers were also served through workshops that taught techniques to evaluate parasite loads in sheep.
Through the Maine Cattle Health Assurance Program (MeCHAP), headed by a team involving UMaine Extension staff, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources personnel, practicing veterinarians, and Maine livestock producers, we are addressing public health, zoonotic disease control, and the safety of an important component of the food supply. We have introduced health management practices designed to prevent the introduction of a disease agent, and reduce disease transmission within the farm animal population. On-farm risk assessments identify risk factors for disease transmission, which are then matched to intervention strategies that give producers credit for employing practices that improve animal health and food safety.
Source of Funding
Performance Goal / FTE Days / Smith/Lever [b] &[c] / Smith/Lever [3d] / State Funds / Total Funding per Performance GoalGoal 1 Total / 1,436 / $199,786.73 / -0- / $199,786.73 / $399,573.46
Consolidated Plan of Work Performance Goals
OUTCOME INDICATORS: Behaviors and ImpactsTotal Days: / 1,436
Agricultural producers will diversify crop production (acres). / 618
Agricultural producers will participate in community management initiatives. / 120
Agricultural producers will practice resource conservation methods. / 306
Crop and livestock producers will increase integration of operations. / 27
Farmers will develop new agricultural products. / 53
Farmers will develop new markets. / 125
Farmers will implement farm management skills. / 363
Farmers will implement sustainable agricultural practices. / 1,133
General public will understand and support production agriculture. / 75
Greenhouse industry will organize liaison group to speak on behalf of entire industry and conduct industry-wide projects. / 1
Individuals will be trained to be more productive and knowledgeable farm employees. / 210
Participants and volunteers will be involved in public policy issues affecting families, organizations, and communities in Maine. / 15
Participants and volunteers will increase their confidence and participation in resolving family, organizational, or community issues. / 60
Participants and volunteers will increase their educational and leadership skills. / 66
Participants and volunteers will use their educational and leadership skills to bring about change in their family, organization, or community. / 51
Producers will adopt alternative crops to reduce pesticide inputs, increase rotation length, and increase soil organic matter. / 699
Producers will adopt sustainable animal husbandry practices. / 304
Producers will form management teams. / 24
Producers will identify yield limiting factors. / 123
Producers will use new technologies. / 1,053
Small farms will diversify. / 151
Small-scale producers will make changes as a result of UMaine Extension programs. / 338
Youth will demonstrate an understanding of the basic scientific principles that affect sustainable agriculture. / 337
OUTPUT INDICATORS
Number of 1-hr. radio programs delivered. / 699
Number of articles in news media. / 304
Number of audio visual resources developed (video, slides, displays). / 24
Number of consultations. / 123
Number of educational workshops, seminars, or conferences conducted by Extension program participants and volunteers. / 16
Number of groups formed (ad hoc or formally organized). / 27
Number of issues of newsletters written. / 61
Number of one-on-one consultations or trainings conducted by Extension program participants and volunteers. / 41
Number of participants in educational workshops, seminars, or conferences conducted by Extension program participants and volunteers. / 380
Number of people attending the workshops/events. / 10,483
Number of people involved in groups formed. / 305
Number of people receiving newsletters. / 4,851
Number of publications distributed. / 6,838
Number of publications written. / 6
Number of volunteers trained. / 125
Number of workshops/events. / 194
Selected Program Accomplishments Corresponding to Key Themes
Key Themes: Agricultural Profitability
Maine Farms for the Future: Long term agricultural sustainability is important to Maine, and Maine’s economy. Farms for the Future is a statewide economic development program that provides assistance to farmers who wish to develop and implement new and improved sustainable business plans. A program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources, the program is administered by the non-profit Coastal Enterprises Incorporated, which contracts with UMaine Extension to provide technical services to farm operators. The program offers two phases of support; phase one provides assistance in developing or updating business plans aimed at increasing farm viability, and phase two awards a grant of up to $25,000, or 25 percent of the funds needed, to implement the plan. In return for funding, farmers agree to place their land in a farmland protection agreement for a minimum of five years.
Summary of Impacts: Since 2001, 22 Extension educators and staff have provided technical assistance to 122 farms in Maine. Grants have been award to 74 farms totaling $1,336,149, leveraging an additional $5,992,931 in support through additional grants, business loans, and in-kind services. The program is responsible for protecting over 17,500 acres from non-agriculture development. Projections from 59 business plans indicate an anticipated average increase in net income of more than $37,000 within 3.1 years. One program participant stated, “This is the best program I have participated in [in] over 20 years of farming. It has allowed me to grow my business and remain profitable.” Another said, “The business plan that you helped us develop has enabled us to focus our efforts on growing and marketing in an orderly and sensible manner. I use the plan often for reference to facts and figures that otherwise would be stored in some obscure file, much as buried treasure.”Farms for the Future is currently based funded through state budgetary appropriations through at least 2007.
Source of Federal Funds: Smith-Lever Act funds, State matching funds
Scope of Impacts:State Specific
Key Themes: Agricultural Waste Management, Human Health, Emergency Preparedness
Addressing Biohazards; Safe Disposal of Animal Carcasses: Recent national and international events have raised the awareness of policy makers, scientists, and regulators of the need to develop safe animal carcass disposal methods for routine mortalities, and to plan for catastrophic mortalities to minimize the spread of disease. Such events include the recent Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the United Kingdom; detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in dairy cattle in Canada and the U.S.; Chronic Wasting Disease in wild deer and elk; and the outbreak of and potential spread of Avian Influenza. Improper carcass disposal can spread disease and lead to significant animal death, negative environmental impact, and increased potential for human illness. The Maine Compost Team is a collaborative effort of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the State Planning Office and UMaine Extension, that conducts research and delivers technical assistance to livestock producers and state and municipal officials. Through applied research, the Team has developed an internationally recognized and accepted safe methodology specifically for the composting of large animal and poultry mortalities.
Summary of Impacts: At least 50 Maine livestock operations have adopted our methodology for routine on-farm mortality disposal, and five states (Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, Washington, and Wisconsin) have adopted our methodology in their state plans and regulations. The efforts of the Maine Compost Team have helped to minimize the potential spread of disease and have improved the safe and timely response to catastrophic outbreaks, keeping thousand of animals and people safe from devastating and dangerous diseases. We have shared the large animal disposal methodology and general composting curriculum more than 1,000 participants through the MaineCompostSchool, and at the international symposium on Composting Carcasses and Slaughterhouse Residuals held in Portland, Maine in May 2005. Also in 2005, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents recognized a UMaine Extension educator for exemplary work in this area, saying that his work is critical to internationally acclaimed medium- and large-scale composting training for farmers and municipalities.
Source of Federal Funds: Smith-Lever Act funds, Hatch Act Funds, State matching funds
Scope of Impacts: Multi-State Integrated Research and Extension; AK, AL, CA, CO, DE, FL, IA, KS, KY, ME, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, VA, WA, WI, WY, WV
Key Themes: Biofuels, Agricultural Profitability, Adding Value to New and Old Agricultural Products, Diversified/Alternative Agriculture
Biodiesel Production in Northern Maine: As part of a feasibility study for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, UMaine Extension conducted research that will enable the local production of biodiesel fuel using oil seed crops grown in northern Maine. In research partially funded by a USDA Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education grant, our crops specialist worked with local growers to produce canola, soybean, and mustard oil seed crops that would be grown in rotation with potatoes, and be viable for use as fuel. The oil seed was test-processed by a local company, evaluated by the growers in their farm machinery, and marketed through a local fuel company. In a second component of project, we worked through a cooperative arrangement with Regent Associates, a local consulting firm, to evaluate the economic aspects of establishing a local biodiesel production facility to be owned by the tribe.